Crime
Control and Prevention District 2006/2007 |
HISTORY OF THE CRIME CONTROL AND PREVENTION
DISTRICT
All
of the programs implemented in the last decade, Code Blue, and Weed
& Seed, fostered an environment of citizen awareness and problem-solving
approaches to police work. In 1989, legislation was passed which
authorized Tarrant County to call for an election to create a crime
control district. This legislation was amended in 1993 through HB
22 to allow municipalities in counties with a population of one
million or more to create a crime control district, again through
an election process. The legislation requires that a 2-year Crime
Control Plan, to include a comprehensive plan with measurable goals
and objectives and a 2-year budget, be adopted by a temporary board
of directors and that the major points of this plan be available
to the voters before they go to the polls.
The
management of the city held a retreat and discussed a number of
topics vital to the city, including the problem of crime. It was
agreed by all that the city could not make major strides in economic
development until it could provide potential employers with a safe
community. From this the management team began a new initiative
designed to ever widen the crime control endeavors of the city.
It
was decided to explore the possibility of developing a Crime Control
and Prevention District and presenting it to the voters for approval.
A long list of potential projects for funding was developed within
the police department and reviewed by city management and other
involved citizens, including the Mayor's office. In order to put
together a cohesive plan, it was determined that items funded under
the program would be "nuts & bolts" proven strategies
rather than more esoteric programs. This would allow other programs
to be funded through the normal budgeting process.
The
plan supported the following mission statement:
MISSION:
"To promote an enhanced feeling of safety for
all citizens in all areas of the city, including neighborhoods,
commercial areas, parks, and public facilities."
From
this all-encompassing statement the first seed of a Crime Control
District Plan was formed, with the addition of a vision statement,
and discrete, measurable goals.
VISION
To make Fort Worth, Texas the safest major city in the United
States.
GOALS:
-
To reduce
reported Part I Crime by an average of 10% throughout the
5 year Crime Control District cycle, for a total decrease
of 50% by the end of the year 2000.
-
To reduce
citizen fear of crime.
-
To increase
citizen participation in the Code:Blue program.
-
To buttress
the crime fighting tools of the Fort Worth Police Department
through acquisition of equipment and new technology.
-
To enhance
the recruitment of high quality officers to serve the citizens
of Fort Worth, and retain those whom the city has already
invested in.
-
To provide
a secure environment in which children can receive an education.
These
six objectives lay the foundation for the creation of not only a
crime control plan, as required by the legislation, but also for
a package of crime prevention strategies, items that will go beyond
just apprehension and work towards the safe environment envisioned
in the mission statement. The plan is for two years and is divided
into four key areas:
I. Violent
Crime and Gangs
II.
Neighborhood Crime
III.
School Safety and Youth
IV.
Police Enhancements
This
plan required an increase in the sales tax of 1/2¢ and was
presented to the voters on Saturday, March 4, 1995. It was approved
by 58.7% of the voters.
Crime
Control and Prevention District 2005/2006
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Crime
Control and Prevention District 2007/2008 |
Board
members may be contacted by e-mail at CCPD@fortworthgov.org.
Please specify the board member you wish to contact for your
question or comments. |
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